Short answer: the Audio First Cadentia 3 on measured sound quality, the KEF R3 Meta on price. The Audio First Cadentia 3 ranks #7 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.7/5, at $7,199. The KEF R3 Meta ranks #10, rated 4.6/5, at $2,499.99, $4,699.01 cheaper.
What the KEF R3 Meta does well: A three way bookshelf speaker with KEF’s coaxial driver, superb accuracy that holds across the room, and bass that reaches deep for its size. Watch for: Pointed straight on-axis, there’s a 1-2dB bump around 9kHz that stays consistent across angles thanks to the constant-directivity waveguide: only toeing the speaker out about 10° tames it.
The Audio First Cadentia 3 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.55 against 6.10 for the KEF R3 Meta. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 76Hz for the KEF R3 Meta. The catch: A mild scoop through the upper midrange/lower treble slightly softens the attack of snares, hand claps, and sibilants: fixable with a single-band EQ (2.5kHz, +1dB, Q~1).
Buy the KEF R3 Meta when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Audio First Cadentia 3 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A three way bookshelf speaker with KEF’s coaxial driver, superb accuracy that holds across the room, and bass that reaches deep for its size.
A large three way bookshelf speaker with near textbook accuracy, a big enveloping soundstage, and deep, punchy bass that stays clean when loud.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R3 Meta | Audio First Cadentia 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499.99 per pair | $7199 per pair |
| Ranked | #10 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 7.9”W x 13.2”D (421.6 x 200.7 x 335.3 mm) | 23.2” x 11.8” x 17” (590 x 300 x 433 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5” aluminum cone midrange, 1” vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 1.1” tweeter, 4.5” midrange, 9” woofer |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86.4dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) each | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | 3-way, bass reflex |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.10 | 7.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 | 8.91 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (Cambridge) |
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